For all dates listed, the deadline is 11:59:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.
If there is a discrepancy between the deadline information on this page and other materials you may have received, you should adhere to the deadlines on this page.
Some programs will continue to accept applications after the deadline, if spaces are available. If you are interested in applying after the deadline, contact your department or program of interest to determine their policy on accepting late applications.
Fall Semester
These are the application deadlines for applicants who wish to begin their graduate studies in fall 2026. For all dates listed, the deadline is 11:59:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. If there is a discrepancy between the deadline information on this page and other materials you may have received, you should adhere to the deadlines on this page.
Ph.D. Programs | Deadline |
| Art, Art History and Visual Studies | 12/11/2025 |
| Biochemistry | 12/01/2025 |
| Biology | 12/01/2025 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 12/04/20251 |
| Biostatistics | 12/01/2025 |
| Business Administration | 12/15/2025 |
| Cell and Molecular Biology | 12/01/2025 |
| Chemistry | 12/01/2025 |
| Civil and Environmental Engineering | 12/15/2025 |
| Classical Studies | Not accepting new applications for 2026 enrollment |
| Cognitive Neuroscience | 12/01/2025 |
| Computational Biology and Bioinformatics | 12/01/2025 |
| Computational Media, Arts, and Cultures | Not accepting applications for 2026 enrollment |
| Computer Science | 12/15/2025 |
| Cultural Anthropology | Not accepting applications for 2026 enrollment |
| Developmental and Stem Cell Biology | 12/01/2025 |
| Earth and Climate Sciences | 01/08/2026 |
| Ecology | 12/01/2025 |
| Economics | 01/06/2026 |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | 12/01/20252 |
| English | 12/04/2025 |
| Environment | 12/03/2025 |
| Environmental Policy | 12/11/2025 |
| Evolutionary Anthropology | 12/01/2025 |
| Genetics and Genomics | 12/01/2025 |
| German Studies - Carolina-Duke Program (must apply through UNC Graduate School) | 12/10/2025 |
| History | 12/15/2025 |
| Immunology | 12/01/2025 |
| Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health | 12/01/2025 |
| Literature | 12/01/2025 |
| Marine Science and Conservation | 12/09/2025 |
| Mathematics | 12/10/2025 |
| Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science | 12/11/2025 |
| Medical Physics | 12/01/2025 |
| Molecular Cancer Biology | 12/01/2025 |
| Molecular Genetics and Microbiology | 12/01/2025 |
| Music | 01/08/2026 |
| Neurobiology | 12/01/2025 |
| Nursing | 11/25/2025 |
| Pathobiology and Translational Biosciences | 12/01/2025 |
| Pharmacology | 12/01/2025 |
| Philosophy | 12/04/2025 |
| Physics | 12/01/2025 |
| Political Science | 12/18/2025 |
| Population Health Sciences | 12/01/2025 |
| Psychology and Neuroscience (Clinical track) | 12/01/2025 |
| Psychology and Neuroscience (All non-clinical tracks) | 12/01/2025 |
| Public Policy Studies | 12/01/2025 |
| Religious Studies | 12/11/2025 |
| Romance Studies | 12/30/20253 |
| Sociology | 12/18/2025 |
| Statistical Science | 12/15/2025 |
1 Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. applicants: Applications submitted by 12/04/2025 are guaranteed review. Applications submitted after 12/04/2025 but before the closing date of 03/05/2026 will be reviewed based upon availability of space and funding.
2 Electrical and Computer Engineering Ph.D. applicants: Applications submitted by 12/01/2025 are guaranteed review. Applications submitted after 12/01/2025 but before the closing date of 02/26/2026 will be reviewed based upon availability of space and funding.
3 Romance Studies Ph.D. applicants: Applications submitted by 12/30/2025 are guaranteed review. Applications submitted after 12/30/2025 but before the closing date of 03/05/2026 will be reviewed based upon availability of space and funding.
1 Applied Ethics & Policy applicants: All applications received by January 16, 2026 will receive a final decision by February 2026. Applications received by March 16, 2026 are guaranteed review. After March 16, 2026, applications will be accepted on a space-available basis through May 29, 2026.
2 Biomedical Engineering master's applicants: Applications submitted by November 3 are guaranteed the earliest review and decision. Applications submitted by February 4, 2026 are guaranteed review on a space-available basis.
3 Dance MFA applicants: Late applications will be considered under special circumstances. Applicants are advised to contact Prof. Sarah Wilbur (sarah.wilbur@duke.edu) before starting an application.
4 East Asian Studies applicants: All applications received by January 31, 2026 are guaranteed review and will be considered for departmental funding. Applications received after the priority deadline will be accepted for review on a space-available basis through April 23, 2026.
5 Electrical and Computer Engineering master's applicants: Applications submitted by November 3 are guaranteed the earliest review and decision. Applications submitted by January 16, 2026 are guaranteed review. Applications submitted after the January 16, 2026 deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis through February 26, 2026.
6 Global Health applicants: The priority deadline is January 09, 2026, though all applications received by February 27, 2026 are guaranteed review. Applications received after February 27, 2026 will be reviewed on a space-available basis through May 31, 2026.
7 Graduate Liberal Studies applicants: All applications submitted by June 01, 2026 are guaranteed review; however, applicants submitting materials by February 15, 2026 will receive an admissions decision by March 15, 2026 and will have priority consideration for financial aid.
8 Master of Arts in Teaching applicants: The priority deadline is January 29, 2026, though all applications received by February 20, 2026 are guaranteed review. Applications received after February 20, 2026 will be reviewed on a space-available basis through April 30, 2026.
9 Materials Science and Engineering applicants: Applications submitted by November 3 are guaranteed the earliest review and decision. The priority deadline is January 31, 2026. All applications received by March 12, 2026 are guaranteed review.
10 Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science master's applicants: Applications submitted by November 3 are guaranteed the earliest review and decision. Applications submitted by January 15, 2026 are guaranteed review. Applications submitted after the January 15, 2026 deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis through February 26, 2026.
11 Medical Physics applicants: The priority deadline is January 08, 2026, though all applications received by January 31, 2026 are guaranteed review. Applications received after February 01, 2026 will be reviewed on a space-available basis through May 29, 2026.
12 Population Health Sciences applicants: The early application deadline is December 1, 2025. All applications received by December 1 will receive an admissions decision by January 2026. The priority deadline is January 15, 2026, though all applications received by February 26, 2026 are guaranteed review. Applications received after February 26, 2026 will be reviewed on a space-available basis through May 31, 2026.
October 1: Deadline to submit all Ph.D. and master’s applications (except Graduate Liberal Studies) for the spring semester, space permitting.
October 30: Deadline to submit Graduate Liberal Studies master's applications for the spring semester.
Note: Very few departments accept new students for the spring term:
Ph.D.
Biomedical Engineering
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science
Master's
Applied Ethics and Policy
Biomedical Engineering
Graduate Liberal Studies
Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science
Political Science
Summer session
Very few departments accept new students for the summer session. With the exception of applicants to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program (which begins in the summer), applicants who wish to apply for summer admission must obtain special permission from the department of interest and The Graduate School. Summer session applicants should adhere to the fall application deadlines.
If you missed the deadline
Once a program's deadline has passed, that program will no longer appear as an option on the application. Most programs will not consider any applications submitted after the deadline. Please contact the department directly to inquire about a late application submission.